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A Liberal Democrat who defended an MP accused of sexual impropriety is in the
running to replace him as the party’s parliamentary candidate in Portsmouth
South.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of the Lib Dem group on Portsmouth city council,
is among three hopefuls seeking to become the Lib Dem contender to replace
the disgraced Mike Hancock.

Some female activists see the battle as a key moment for the Liberal Democrats
in the wake of a series of sexual harassment scandals. “It’s basically a
contest that will show if the party has changed,” said one.